Abstract: Methods, and systems, for Multiagent Pathfinding for Non Dynamic Programming Problems, including a CE method which provides for sampling from a complex probability distribution that is not necessarily known in a closed form. The applications of this method include rare-event simulation, variance reduction for estimation problems, and stochastic optimization. The method iteratively searches for a probability distribution that is “close” to the intended distribution, where the closeness of distributions is measured using the Kullback-Liebler (KL) divergence between the distributions. At each step, the method generates samples according to a current candidate distribution from the family. Next, it uses those current candidate distribution samples to move the distribution toward a new candidate distribution that is closer in the sense of KL divergence to the target distribution.

Abstract: A microcapacitor array for providing artificial muscles is described. The microcapacitor array includes a dielectric body with electrode chambers, positive electrodes in positive electrode chambers, the positive electrodes being connected by a first set of channels in the dielectric frame; negative electrodes in negative electrode chambers, the negative electrodes being connected by a second set of channels in the dielectric frame. The first and second set of channels are arranged so that application of a voltage differential between the positive electrodes and the negative electrodes generates an attractive force between each set of adjacent positive and negative electrodes.

Abstract: A nanoparticle (NP)-peptide conjugate provides efficient steric hindrance/blockage of cellular membrane potassium (K+) channels to mediate depolarization of cellular membrane potential.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system that can to capture, retain, and release a small UAV/drone. Exemplary embodiments include a plurality of capture mechanisms each include a capture arm coupled to an actuator. The capture mechanism can include two pivot points, one of which can move along a track or groove, to allow the capture arm to extend and retract while maintaining a small combined circumference during UAV landing while still being able to extend to engage with a retention ring on the UAV.

Abstract: A radial cutting cavity container includes a housing that defines a chamber for a shaped explosive charge. The housing is configured to allow a user to pack explosives therein. An airtight cavity is attached to the housing. The airtight cavity defines a standoff distance for the shaped explosive charge and has a concave surface adapted to form an explosive cutting jet. A liner is located between the housing and the airtight cavity. A support stand is attached to the container to allow the container to be mounted on a surface for creating a radial cut normal to the surface.

Abstract: Provided is a Fall Arrest Staple that includes a slanted base with a flat welding surface and an integral ring section extending from the base that is constructed from aluminum with a maximum internal radii that is capable of accepting a small carabineer. The staple can be welded to an aluminum pole, such as a 4?OD×0.25? mast that is found on a ship. Advantages provided by the staple include the ability of welding in a perpendicular orientation to a ship deck (in the direction of a fall), welding to a curved aluminum backing plate, and the use of the staple with a curved backing plate that can be welded directly to a ship mast.

Abstract: Smart sensors apparatus for detecting environmental conditions. The smart sticker apparatus includes a radio frequency identification tag comprising a chip and a loop antenna, the loop antenna being configured to transmit sensor information to an external reader, a plurality of sensors configured to provide environmental data, each of the sensors further comprising a substrate having a proximal side and a distal side, wherein the proximal side of the substrate is mounted to the chip, a conductive ink trace disposed on the distal side of the substrate, and a resin fully enveloping the radio frequency identification tag and partially enveloping the distal side of the substrate.

Abstract: A reinforcement-learning based queue-management method for undersea networks. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method to shape traffic in a dynamic network, comprising measuring network states, classifying each of a plurality of packets into one of a plurality of traffic types based on quality-of-service requirements, defining a decision epoch interval, determining a policy with a plurality of neural networks and with a deep reinforcement learning agent that maximizes entropy-regularized long-term reward and produces a plurality of weighted fair-queuing weights based on an observation of the state of the queues at the decision epoch intervals, and using the policy to allocate predefined portions of the available transmission bandwidth across the plurality of traffic types by defining each type with a WFQ weight.

Abstract: A bipolar nanocomposite semiconductor (BNS) material in which electrons and holes are separately transported throughout the BNS volume via an interpenetrating plurality of networks, where some of the networks have one conductivity type and others have the opposite conductivity type. The interpenetrating networks can include one or more multiple nanocrystalline structures, metal and dielectric networks and are intimately connected to enable band-like transport of both electrons and holes throughout the material.

Abstract: A bipolar nanocomposite semiconductor (BNS) material in which electrons and holes are separately transported throughout the BNS volume via an interpenetrating plurality of networks, where some of the networks have one conductivity type and others have the opposite conductivity type. The interpenetrating networks can include one or more multiple nanocrystalline structures, metal and dielectric networks and are intimately connected to enable band-like transport of both electrons and holes throughout the material.

Abstract: A measurement system is provided for assessing dimensions of a human body. The system includes a stereoscopic camera, and an autonomous processor. The camera captures the body standing from front and side perspectives. The processor identifies reference points corresponding to extremity locations and joints on the body. The processor further calculates distances between the reference points and determining the dimensions for output and subsequently estimates a pose envelope from the distances. The processor then compares the pose envelope to confinement restraints for predicting anthropometric conformity to the restraints. A computer-implemented method performing operations by the processor is also provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus for creating super-compressed map files. Using free and open-source software (FOSS), the tool create a super-compressed internally tiled Geo Tag Image File Format (TIFF) in a WGS84 datum (WGS84) similar in size to the original LizardTech's MrSID (SID) imagery from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). Converting NGA data to WGS84 allows mapping systems like NASA Worldwind (WW) to eliminate the step of re-projecting on the fly from non-native projections, thus reducing processing time. The disclosed method includes removing all pure-black pixels by setting them to black+1, changing all near-black border pixels with values less than 15 to 0 (pure black), setting pure black values to “no-data,” compressing the image with a compression scheme, and translating the compressed image to JPEG and a YCbCr color space to achieve greater compression.

Abstract: Systems and methods for designing and producing articles using augmented reality apparatus are provided. The articles may incorporate commercially-available off-the-shelf (COTS) components such as motors, power supplies, and/or propulsion systems for use as vehicles or vessels. The articles may also incorporate modular components, such as storage and/or building components. Methods and kits for producing the articles are also provided.

Abstract: Supercoupling waveguides are provided in which acoustic impedance at an acoustic input port matches the acoustic impedance at an acoustic output port, where the acoustic path extending from the acoustic input port to the acoustic output port has a variable length. The supercoupling waveguides may be used in methods of sensing and measuring, and may be incorporated into sensors.

Abstract: From a plurality of sabots, a sabot is provided for shrouding a sub-caliber projectile to form a launch package in a gun bore for acceleration by an actuator behind the projectile. The sabot includes a forecastle, an aft bulkhead and a waist. The forecastle separates the projectile from the gun bore. The aft bulkhead abuts against the actuator. The waist connects the forecastle and the bulkhead by a radial spar that supports inner and outer flanges. The inner flange mechanically engages the projectile, and in preferred embodiments is concave. The gun bore is optimized as a pair of electromagnetic rails.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a vortex ring in a liquid medium. The method includes concatenating pairs of insulated anode and cathode rings into a stack; inserting the stack into a vertically oriented chamber; disposing a cylindrical cavity below the chamber; inserting a piston into the cavity; connecting the chamber to the medium; and raising the piston to displace the medium while the stack produces an annular bubble that induces the vortex ring. In particular, the medium is water and the stack separates the medium into hydrogen and oxygen gas.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device comprising at least one quantum well (QW) and at least one quantum dot (QD) incorporated in the quantum well with the band gap of the quantum well being larger than the band gap of the quantum dot. The QDs and QD arrays are embedded in various QW, thus providing higher yields in optoelectronic devices, such as light emitting diodes, lasers, and photodetectors. This is achieved by a nearly complete suppression of the nonradiative Auger recombination and enhancement of the light extraction efficiency.

Abstract: Exemplary inventive practice improves the taxiing dynamics of a seaplane by propulsively imparting roll moments so as to continually encourage levelness of the two wings, thereby maintaining both wings completely above (out of) the water. Two matching motor-driven propellers are correspondingly positioned at or near the wingtips. A computer receives sensory motion inputs and transmits sequential commands that continually adjust the respective propulsive forces of the wingtip propellers by effecting equal and opposite changes in their respective rotational speeds. An increase in one wingtip propeller's rotational speed is concomitant a decrease in the other wingtip propeller's rotational speed, wherein the increase and the decrease are of the same magnitude. The seaplane rolls upward on the wing whose wingtip propeller is increasing in rotational speed. Control of the seaplane's rolling motion is thus enabled by a sustained propulsive equilibrium between the two wingtip propellers.

Abstract: A method to implement traceability and provability on a particular project in software development based on blockchain-recorded transactions of assigned developer time, the method comprising of the following steps: setting up a blockchain network comprised of a distributed, redundant, and tamper-resistant ledger; issuing each user an attestable pre-fabricated and signed virtualized environment on approved hardware that comes with functionality required for the user's role implemented as one of a set of virtual machine templates fashioned from a signed and approved pre-fabricated image; and verifying that assigned developer time is valid, and if so, record each development action on the ledger to enable extensive tracking and auditing of end-to-end software development process.

Abstract: A Cyber Vulnerability Assessment Tool (CVAST) and CVAST Threat Assessment Heuristic (CVAST THRASH) capable of automated modeling of cyber physical systems, assessment of the nature of cyber risks thereto, and output of such cyber risk assessments are provided.